Now Commenting On:

Crain feeling better, but not yet 100 percent

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Jesse Crain doesn't know how many pitches he threw during Thursday's bullpen session, but it covered the time frame of a normal side session.

The strained right adductor, which has limited Crain to one Cactus League appearance, has improved. It's just not good enough yet to get him back into game action.

"I just wasn't letting myself get to that point yet because I'm still not 100 percent. I'll slowly get there," Crain said. "Hopefully, I'll have my next bullpen session Sunday or Monday and it will be where I don't even think about it. When I can do it without thinking about it, that's when I know I'm ready.

"I'm not worried. I've been able to keep my arm in shape, too. I've been able to long toss. It hasn't affected that. It's just getting off the mound. I have plenty of time."

Crain's hope is to get into a Cactus League game sometime next week.

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.